South Pacific Dive Guide

SOUTH PACIFIC’S GUIDE

Your next dive adventure starts here!

email:

d i v e @ d i v e f i s h s n o w. c o . n z

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GOOD REASONS TO BOOK THROUGH

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WE’VE DIVED THERE Our specialist dive travel consultants have a combined diving experience of 64 years, having completed 19,000 dives over 33 countries world wide and visited untold reefs, resorts and liveaboards. So when we give you a recommendation on which dive location will best suit you, it comes from personal first hand experience • Not from a brochure • Not from a dive magazine • Not from a website That’s why we say “Talk to us, we’ve dived there.”

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WE SAVE YOU TIME AND $$ MONEY $$ There is a reason why Dive Fish Snow Travel is NZ largest dive travel agent. Think about it - who gets the best price? You, by buying one holiday direct

OR Us, by buying thousands of holidays every year for the past 19 years - PLUS we have the product knowledge that can save you time from shopping around. We are your one stop dive holiday shop!

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UNBIASED AND OBJECTIVE ADVICE

Any one can look at a dive resort website or brochure. There are thousands of them and they all have one thing in common - they all claim to be the best! So how do you know if they really are as good as they claim? Here at Dive Fish Snow Travel, we offer a lot of quality locations that we have personally checked out. If they don’t meet our standards, we wont sell them. We will only offer what best suits your requirements and budget. We have the expertise and first hand knowledge to give you truly unbiased and objective advise on where to go for your next dive holiday.

AIRFARE PRICING GUIDE The fares listed are to be used as a guide only. They are the cheapest available at the time of print (May 2005). The cheapest airfares are always sold out first. The earlier you book and pay for the airfare, they cheaper they usually are. AIRFARES EX AUCKLAND START FROM: Fiji*

$ 475

Truk Lagoon*

$ 1630

Vanuatu

$ 495

Marshall Islands*

$ 1250

Solomon Is* Brisbane

$ 1075

Niue

$ 685

$ 425

* Add approximately $120 - $200 for airfares ex Wellington and/or Christchurch. NB: Airline levies taxes and service fees are not included in above pricing guide.

All prices are in NZD

PRICING: Use as a Guide only All prices in this publication are NZ dollars and are valid at time of publication. Please use as a guide only. Airfares are not included. Inclusions: unless specified, prices listed are per person share twin accommodation, ten dives, tanks, weightbelts, airfills dive guide and return airport transfers.

Welcome to the Tropical South Pacific: Your Underwater Playground We know you will find some useful information in this guide. There are a lot more details and many more options on our website, but we do encourage you to pick up the phone and talk to one of our dive travel consultants. They've been there, dived that and can customize a great dive holiday for you.

OUR COMMITTMENT TO YOU:

SHARK ACTION:

There are as many different types of dive holidays as there are divers looking for that “something special!” AS A SPECIALIST DIVE TRAVEL AGENCY, our job, and our commitment to you, is to work with you and your budget to get exactly what you are looking for. Whether your ideal dive holiday is: · A romantic getaway with a little bit of diving · Full on action packed adrenalin pumping diving · Full on wreck or wreck and reef combo · Technical diving or training · A family resort with some casual diving · An off the beaten track adventure to far flung reefs, atolls and islands. We can customise that “something special” just for you.

COMMON MISNOMER: Many divers think that the more adventurous the diving, the more difficult or dangerous it is. Not so! Diving in warm tropical waters with professional, well-run operators is much easier and more comfortable than in New Zealand conditions.

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This guide is full of exciting specialist dive locations, many of which are also suitable for non divers and families. We can also recommend many other family friendly locations where you can do a few dives and still relax with your family. Just ask us about these options.

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NON DIVERS, KIDS AND FAMILIES:

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The movies would have you believe that all sharks are killers. The reality is quite different. Tropical sharks are not usually dangerous, but do need to be treated with respect. Shark feeding and shark dives are now very popular worldwide. It is safe, a lot of fun, and will teach you to appreciate the grace, power and splendour that make them masters of their environment.

INTERNET: There are thousands of dive resort websites and they all have one thing in common- they all claim to be the best! So how do you figure out which one will best suit you, and if they really are as good as they claim? Because we have personally checked out hundreds of locations, we can give you unbiased and objective advice. We can also sell them for a cheaper cost than you can get by buying directly off a website.

SO HOW DO WE MAKE A PROFIT FROM YOU, OUR VALUED CLIENT? We make our profit from the airlines, resorts and dive operators paying us a commission off their costs, not from adding costs on top of their costs. So the cost of the service is the same whether you purchase it directly or through us. But when you book through Dive Fish Snow Travel you get all the benefits of our first hand knowledge and unbiased opinions for free, plus the advantage of knowing that by booking through a TAANZ bonded travel agency your funds are protected.

Fiji GARDEN ISLAND RESORT, TAVEUNI FIJI'S PREMIER DIVE LOCATION A charming oceanfront resort, with each well appointed rooms commanding views over Somosomo Strait. The Resort provides a quiet and relaxing island lifestyle in tropical surroundings with attentive staff and fine international cuisine. You will soon appreciate that "Garden Island" applies not only to the landscape, but also to the underwater coral gardens, with soft corals everywhere in glorious technicolour, earning this awesome location the reputation as the soft coral capital of the world. The dive team are very professional and the dive boat sets the standards.

Soft Coral Capital of the World

$1575pp 7 nights ocean view domestic airfare 12 dives Transfers

Wananavu Beach Resort

$1590pp RA DIVERS, RAKIRAKI, WANANAVU BEACH RESORT AND RA DIVERS LODGE.

7 nights Garden View, 10 dives Ra Divers Transfers

The Ra (West) waters of Fiji’s mainland are renowned for the quality and profusion of fish life, plus multi-hued soft and hard coral. Discover all this with Ra Divers Fiji, A PADI facility operating 3 fully equipped dive boats, with experienced qualified instructors and dive sites that rate among the best in Fiji. Ra Divers Lodge: Your own little bit of paradise on Nananu-I-Ra Island across the bay from Wananavu Beach Resort. A 3 storey beachfront house with magnificent ocean views and all the comforts $1595pp 7 nights of home, plus a housegirl to cook and clean for 10 dives Daily meals you. Transfers Wananavu Beach Resort offers deluxe bungalow accommodation in a tropical garden or sea view setting with a delightful swimming pool, tennis court and charming bar and restaurant.

Wananavu Beach Resort

Ra Divers Lodge

Garden Island Resort

Fiji LAGOON RESORT AND AQUATREK BEQA LAGOON Beqa Lagoon: the biggest lagoon in Fiji, with kaleidoscopic soft corals, reefs teeming with fish, numerous caves, tunnels, weird and wonderful exotic critters, and 3 wrecks. Combine this with one of the world’s top shark feed dives, where you will see 7-8 species of shark during one adrenalin pumping dive. Lagoon Resort, luxurious, elegant, exotic, romantic. Spacious rooms, marble bathrooms, great canal views and a lovely swimming pool combine to create a perfect resort.

$1395pp

Adrenalin pumping shark feed dive

7 nights 10 dives Transfers

MATAVA RESORT – THE ASTROLABE HIDEAWAY, KADAVU ISLAND On the remote and magnificent island of Kadavu, Matava - The Astrolabe Hideaway boasts secluded splendour whilst also satisfying your spirit of adventure. Set among lush tropical surroundings, Matava is a small and intimate getaway, featuring traditional thatched Fijian bures, offering privacy, comfort and superb ocean views. The Astrolabe Reef is rated as one of the world's premier diving locations offering a great diversity and spectacle in coral structures and marine life. Discover brilliant coloured hard and soft corals, vertical drops-offs, giant Manta Rays and exciting shark dives.

$1495pp 7 nights, std water front bure, 10 dives Domestic air/boat transfers

Dive with Manta’s

Port Vila, Vanuatu VANUATU A sprinkling of 83 tropical islands just 3 hours from Auckland, Vanuatu is a country full of wonderful surprises and diversity, breathtaking views, jungle waterfalls, incredible coral reefs and the best game and sport fishing in the South Pacific. Discovering Vanuatu is made easy with Air Vanuatu flights departing Auckland on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with good connections from Wellington and Christchurch.

HIDEAWAY MARINE SANCTUARY RESORT To fully appreciate the extent of the Marine Sanctuary’s wonderful reefs and marine life, you just have to visit! The reef has been protected as a Marine Sanctuary for many years. The fish are very friendly – it is like an underwater “aquarium” of untold splendour right off the beach, plus there are two wreck dives in front of the resort.

$675pp 7 nights dormitory room. Incl 10 dives Transfers. upgrades available

Hideaway Island is an ideal resort for new and experienced divers, with full PADI services. The island is covered in native bush, edged by white sand and coral beaches. Accommodation is available in dormitories, twin/double rooms with shared bathrooms and oceanfront ensuite bungalows.

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

$1975pp 6 nights Aore. 1 night Vila. Incl: domestic air + 10 boat dives, Transfers

Hideaway Island

Aore Resort

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Sinking of the Coolidge

Espiritu Santo, just a short flight from Port Vila, is home to the "SS President Coolidge" - one of the World's largest diveable shipwrecks. The luxury liner was converted to a troopship during WWII and sank just off the coast, making easy access available from the shore or a boat. To explore the "Coolidge" in its entirety would take more than 20 different dives to the ballrooms, cargo holds, decks and superstructure, with an amazing collection of jeeps, trucks, cases of rifles and other articles of war to be seen. But Espiritu Santo has a lot more to offer than just the "Coolidge": colourful reef diving, sportfishing, kayaking, snorkelling, tours to local Kustom villages, the picturesque Blue Holes, magnificent beaches, conservation areas and caves to explore.

AQUAMARINE

ALLAN POWERS DIVE TOURS

The most qualified dive shop in Vanuatu, Aquamarine is a registered PADI Resort, SSI Instructor Training Facility, SDI Instructor Development Facility and TDI Instructor Trainer Facility. Diving the Coolidge promises to be the most adventurous wreck diving you may ever do and to ensure your safety and fun, Aquamarine has the most highly trained guides on the Coolidge. They have logged over 30,000 combined dives on the wreck and are fully qualified to cater to novice, advanced and technical divers. Aquamarine services include boat and shore dives to all of Santo's wreck and reef sites including Million Dollar Point and the SS Tucker, as well as gear hire, Nitrox, and Trimix. Guides may also be hired for personal tours - ideal for photographers and qualified tek divers.

Allan Powers Dive have over 30 years of experience and are considered to be experts on the “Coolidge”. The operation is committed to providing the best dives, equipment and service. They also take care of the wreck with regular cleaning and restoration. They have built up a sheltered gearing up area to allow the easiest and most convenient access to shore based dives on the “Coolidge”. They have a purpose built dive boat for boat dives on the “Coolidge” and the “Henry Bonneaud” and other pristine reefs further afield.

CORAL QUAYS RESORT Experience the traditional charm of a lovely estate villa, combined with the soothing effect of sparkling blue waters that lap the beachfront. Coral Quays is an oceanfront resort featuring superior individual private ensuite bungalows blending into 6 acres of lush tropical gardens. The resort is located in San Michel Bay, just a breath away from the town, with easy access to all the activities, tours and dive locations of Espiritu Santo. Snorkel off the jetty, try your hand at sportfishing, relax by the swimming pool or enjoy a traditional Melanesian massage before a romantic waterside dinner in one of Vanuatu's finest restaurants.

$1395pp 6 nights Coral Quays. 1 night Vila. Incl domestic air + 10 shore dives

UNFORGE

NIU

Above or below the water, noth Immerse yourself in some of the clearest, cleanest waters that provide easy sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, corals, snakes, and all manner of marine life. It’s easy, since our land-shelf drops off a mere stones' throw from

Matavai Resort Nestled into cliffs that overlook Niue’s crystal blue waters hides your sanctuary! Niue’s top resort offers 180-degree ocean views from its abundant decks, making it both your perfect retreat and the ideal place to enjoy humpbacks and dolphins with sunsets and cocktails. We have only twenty-two rooms, four air-conditioned, all with balconies and ocean views. Two fresh water pools on the lower decks are the perfect place to cool off after a hard day relaxing. Our bar is a local hub, while our restaurant serves European-style cuisine with a dash of Niuean flavour. Better still, Niue Dive is located just next door, letting divers take the plunge and return to base without wasting time travelling. Our friendly staff can also advise of, or book Niue’s best activities, for here at the Matavai Resort we want nothing to impede your pleasure.

Namukulu Motel Located just ten minutes drive north of Niue's capital, Alofi, the all new Namukulu Motel is well away from it all. Same great hosts though - not even a cyclone could tear Robyn and Joe Wright away from Niue, and they've rebuilt! They have several superior-quality, self-contained, freestanding fales that sleep groups of up to four, in light, airy, comfortable bliss. All have magnificent sea views, and are well appointed with fridge, microwave, gas hob, ceiling fan and television - even a hair dryer - but don't expect a to find a telephone in your fale. Most guests never even notice! They still hire mountain bikes, golf clubs and even snorkeling equipment, and by the time you read this their massive rebuild may see also the pool, BBQ, laundary and gym facilities completed. Please note - may see! If these facilities are critical to you, do check before you book. But some things don't change - Namukulu Motel deservedly has an awesome reputation and a fanatically loyal clientele. You'll be happy to count yourself among them, but book early to ensure you can!

For more information about Niue visit us at www.niueisland.com

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hing on Earth comes close shore, meaning much less time spent on the water and lots more in it. Niue Dive is professionally run by PADI Instructors and cater from novices to experts, offering PADI courses right up to Divemaster level. During July to October, pods of large migrating whales rest and perform as close as 50 metres from land - we know of no other place on earth where you can get this close to whales without getting wet. But if 50 metres isn't close enough, Niue Dive run whale encounters, so experience the unforgettable thrill of swimming alongside them! Even on land, Niue's a world apart. It’s full of incredibly welcoming people who speak English and use the $NZ but is also an extremely safe, politically stable Polynesian land. Our culture’s untrampled by business and undisturbed by fads. Niue's over four times larger than the entire Cook Islands group, so there's more than enough room to trek through virgin rain forest, explore stunning caves or just drift aimlessly over pristine reefs - guided professionally, or on your own. In or out of the water, Niue is utterly unforgettable.

Liveaboards A live-aboard is a boat which serves many purposes …….a comfortable floating hotel, cabins with ensuites, great restaurant with amazing sea views and professional dive operation all in one. The benefits of this type of holiday are many – You are positioned on the dive sites making it easy to do lots of dives in the day. On many live-aboards you will simply step off the back deck, go for a dive, step back on again, take off your BCD and have a cool drink, cup of tea or a gourmet lunch. The crew will assist with all equipment, including cameras, and will re-fill your tank while you relax in the sun. Some live-aboards will use dive tenders for a short run to the dive sites.

TRUK LAGOON, MICRONESIA – “SS THORFINN” Truk has a reputation as one of the best wreck diving locations in the world. Within the lagoon lie the spectacular remains of nearly 70 coral draped Japanese shipwrecks and countless aircraft which were condemned to watery graves during US air attacks in WWII. Incredible visions of the battle fleet will greet you as you dive on shipwrecks torn apart by massive explosions and on cargo boats still laden with mines, bombs, torpedoes, aircraft parts and personal effects of a bygone era. The “SS Thorfinn” is undergoing a major refurbishment in 2005 which will include transformations to her exterior and dive boats.

$1730pp 7 nights Cruise, 3 dives per day

Kwajalein Atoll was the scene of fierce naval battles during WWII and has been “off limits” until recently. The atoll has been an American military base since WWII but is now open to divers. You can be amongst the first to dive on over 50 ship and aircraft wrecks including the enormous German battleship, “Prinz Eugen”. Rongelap Expeditions base their live aboard “MV Oleanda” at Kwajalein Atoll for 8 – 10 weeks a year before relocating to other remote and pristine atolls of Rongelap and Jaluit in the Marshall Islands. Special charters have been booked for Kwajalein for April 2006 and June 2007. There is limited space so book now.

$3150pp 8 nights cruise incl meals, unlimited diving + domestic air

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – “MV CHERTAN” “M.V. Chertan”, beyond simply a dive experience… Adventure, challenge and discovery in conditions that few have experienced. From dugouts to dugongs, from plunging coral drop-offs to towering volcanic mountains, skull caves and thermal springs, from hammerhead sharks to manta rays, the waters around Milne Bay are truly unique. Equally special is the ambience on board Chertan where the crew's priority is your comfort and enjoyment. Enjoy a night before or after the cruise at the luxurious Tiwali Resort, which is also owned by Chertan.

$4595pp 9 nights cruise incl meals, unlimited diving. Airfare ex Brisbane 1 night Port Morsbey

di Lat vi es ng t lo wre ca ck tio n

MARSHALL ISLANDS – RONGELAP EXPEDITIONS To Kawajalein, Jaluit and Rongelap Atolls

Liveaboards QUEENSLAND – “TAKA” Taka Dive Adventures operate from Cairns. Cruise in comfort to the famous Cod Hole and Ribbon Reefs on board the new “Taka”, a 30m purpose-built dive vessel launched in January 2004. The Friday departure includes the exciting Shark Feed at Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea, experiencing 30+m visibility. -

4 day 3 nights Cod Hole & Northern Great Barrier Reef cruise – departs Tuesday. Cost from $1035 incl meals + diving

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5 day 4 nights Cod Hole & Osprey Reef – Coral Sea Cruise – departs Fridays. Cost from $1195 incl meals + diving.

Saloon M.V. Taka

QUEENSLAND - MIKE BALL EXPEDITIONS

Shark feed Osprey reef

“Supersport” and “Spoilsport”: these custom designed catamarans minimise seasickness and maximise stability, space and privacy. Large specialised dive decks make diving easy with unique entry/exit platforms and multi-level camera tables. Nitrox & solo diving, complimentary Reef Ecology Programs and speciality dive courses available. Fly Dive Cod Hole “Supersport” - 3 or 4 nights (12 or 14 dives) Mike Ball's new Fly Dive Cod Hole itinerary provides stunning views of the Great Barrier Reef as you fly to (or from) “Supersport” - at just 600 ft above the dive sites! The flight saves 12 hours of sea travel, enabling more relaxed and unlimited diving. All dives are north of Ribbon Reef #3 where the visibility and marine life is best. Just Relax... Enjoy... Dive...! Departs: Cairns - Monday (3nts) & Thursday (4nts) Cost from $1135 incl meals + diving Reef ‘n wreck. “Spoilsport” - 4 nights (13 dives) One day is spent at Wheeler Reef or similar high quality outer Great Barrier Reef location. Two days are at Australia's best dive, the amazing “SS Yongala” that rests at 30 meters and the uppermost deck is at 15 meters. The wreck is covered in spectacular hard and soft corals. Turtles, bull rays, sea snakes, sharks and huge fish roam the wreck. Departs: Townsville - Tuesday & Friday Cost from $1245 incl meals + diving. Coral Sea “Spoilsport” - 7 to 8 nights (unlimited dives) Spoilsport takes you to 3 regions of diverse and exciting diving. In the Coral Sea witness incredible shark action at Scuba Zoo and glide along bottomless walls with 45m visibility. At outer edge Great Barrier Reefs you will explore rarely visited, pristine reefs. Australia's very best dive awaits you at the incredible Yongala Wreck. Departs: Townsville - Tuesday Cost from $2360 incl. meals + diving.

Taka

Cod Hole

Minke Whale Trip runs only in June and July

Spoilsport

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea is one of the World’s best dive locations and is testament to why so many NZ divers return to PNG again and again. Papua New Guinea is a land of variety and contradiction and it is one of the most exciting, remote and adventurous places in the world to visit and dive. PNG is a divers’ dream: deep or shallow reefs, colourful coral walls, sheer drop offs, barrier reefs, atolls, passages, lagoons, WWII wrecks combined with unique species of marine life that are found throughout the region. Deep water often comes very close to the shore. Only a couple of meters away from the beaches are vertical dropping reef walls which reach down to 1000 meters or more. In the more sheltered bays delicate coral formations are growing to enormous size. KAVIENG is renowned for big fish action and passageway diving

RABAUL: has the best WWII wreck diving opportunities and WWII history.

WALINDI The resort’s restaurant walls are covered with Walindi photos that have appeared on the front covers of dive magazines around the world: Testament to the diving of Walindi.

MADANG offers PNG’s best wreck and reef combination

M.V. CHERTAN offers the ultimate dive adventure in PNG: wrecks, pristine reefs + big fish action, interesting critters and the pristine reefs of Milne Bay Has Daily flights from Australia, with good connections to PNG premier dive locations

JAIS ABEN RESORT, MADANG WRECK N REEF COMBO Madang, situated on the north coast of PNG’s mainland, boasts one of the most ecologically diverse reef systems in the world. Aquaventures can show you coral reefs, WWII ships and aircraft wrecks submerged in crystal clear water, sunken live volcanoes and cathedral-like caves, grazing dugong, cruising turtles and a mind-blowing array of multi-coloured reef fish. Our director Ron Blake, rates the wreck of the “US Boston” as one of the best wreck dives in PNG. Jais Aben Resort lies on a private Peninsula and offers direct access to the best dive sites of the area. The sea view bungalows are spread generously over the property which is sheltered from the tropical sun by old coconut palms.

$2295pp 7 nights Budget sea view bungalow. 12 dives Flights ex Brisbane

Solomon Islands Virtually untouched, the Solomon Islands are comprised of more than 990 islands. If it weren’t for the remnants of war - tankers, battleships, troop carriers, bombers, fighters and tanks that are scattered among the shallow reefs and harbours, it would be hard to believe that the Solomons were once the site of fierce fighting during WWII. The ocean is warm and clear, with millions of fish, large pelagics, hard and soft corals of every colour under the sun. Dramatic outcrops, breath-taking drop offs and imposing coral overhangs add to the underwater spectacle.

Bilikiki Cruise

It’s never been easier to get to the Solomon Islands, with good connections from Brisbane, Fiji and Vanuatu.

ADVENTURE SPORTS GIZO AND MUNDA Gizo is renowned for having the most diverse and exciting diving to be found anywhere in the world: from World War II wrecks to numerous offshore reefs, spectacular coral formations, plummeting walls, manta rays and abundant marine life. Munda is located on the beautiful Roviana Lagoon, a 15 minutes flight from Gizo. Munda has a unique history of head hunting with many historic sites to visit! Majestic wall dives and virgin reefs are the specialty of Munda. Danny and Kerrie Kennedy have owned and operated Adventures Sports (Dive Gizo) since 1985 and now also operate Dive Munda at Agnes Lodge.

$1295pp 7 nights Gizo Hotel std room. domestic airfare 10 dives. Transfers

THE GIZO HOTEL

This hotel is situated on the waterfront of Gizo, and offers comfortable accommodation and poolside relaxation. The split level open air "Leaf Haus" restaurant and bar offers a wide variety of fresh local cuisine. Room features include a balcony, ceiling fans, ensuite with shower and half bath, IDD telephone, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. The deluxe Poolside and Seaview rooms are air-conditioned.

Dive Boat

Tank

Gizo Hotel

Solomon Islands TULAGI - A Wreck Diver’s Heaven Has it all – wreck ‘n reef

The U.S.S. Aaron Ward

The island of Tulagi is reached directly from Honiara by boat. Accommodation at Vanita Divers Lodge is basic but clean and comfortable, offering both dormitory and ensuite rooms. Restaurant and bar facilities adjoin the lodge, or you can make use of the BBQ facilities. Looking for a good mix of incredible wrecks and stunning reefs? Here you’ll find seaplanes, a mine sweeper, oil tanker and an American destroyer “The Aaron Ward”. The unspoilt reefs feature soft corals, drop offs, huge fans, giant sponges and are all packed with an abundance of tropical marine life. Any Indo Pacific species, fish or invertebrate, that you care to name are to be found in the Solomon Islands’ waters. Tulagi Dive is well equipped to look after divers of all experience levels, including the technical diver.

Voted by Dive Fish Snow Travel as the best wreck dive location in the Solomon Islands.

$1395pp 7 nights 10 dives Boat transfers

COASTWATCHERS, HONIARA 4 Big Ship Wrecks During World War II, bitter fighting raged between American and Japanese forces for six months on Guadalcanal Island until the Japanese withdrew early in 1943. The waters around Honiara, where the Battle of Guadalcanal took place, are now littered with so many wrecks and war debris it has become become known as “Iron Bottom Sound”.

Bonegi Two wreck

$795pp 7 nights standard room Honara Hotel 10 dives Transfers

Now Coastwatchers offers excellent battlefield tours and can show you many war wrecks and relics on both land and underwater, including the legendary Bonegi one, Bonegi two, Ruanui, U.S.S. John Penn ship wrecks, aircrafts, submarines, guns, cannons and tanks. Most of the wrecks are shore dives at depths of 5-65 metres.

It is easy to combine both these amazing locations to get 1 awesome wreck diving holiday.

KING SOLOMON HOTEL, HONIARA Conveniently located in Honiara, the hotel sits one block back from the waterfront on a coral terraced hill with stunning views over Guadalcanal. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, shower and half bath, refrigerator, tea/coffee, television, and free in-house movies. Tropical landscaped gardens and the swimming pool makes the King Solomon hotel the best place to dive from and relax in Honiara.

$1295pp 7 nights sea view room 10 dives Transfers

Vanita Divers Lodge

Solomon Islands “M V BILIKIKI” Kiwis’ favourite dive liveaboard “MV Bilikiki” operates from Honiara on Guadalcanal Island to dive sites in the Florida Islands, Russell Islands, Mborokua (Mary) Island and Marovo Lagoon in the New Georgia Islands. The walls, reefs, pinnacles and coral gardens support an amazing variety and quantity of sea creatures. The varieties of fish are staggering. Within a few meters of each other, individually or in schools, can be seen anemone fish, angel fish, butterfly fish, humphead parrot fish and other reef dwellers while just a short distance away schools of barracuda, bigeye trevally and other pelagics cruise in the blue waters. "Muck dives” will show you small and unusual critters such as Mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses. Combine these amazing reef dives with some of the best wreck dives in the Solomons and you can understand why this is Kiwi’s favourite Liveaboard. Bilikiki operate 7 to 10 day cruises and they need to be booked well in advance.

$2950pp 7 night cruise meals unlimited diving

UEPI ISLAND, MOROVO LAGOON PEACE AND TRANQUILITY: Hidden among the turquoise waters and peaceful lagoons in the Western Provinces you will find the stunning Uepi Island Resort. Uepi is a raised coral island with a beautiful sandy beach and is covered with colourful tropical foliage and lowland rain forest. It is set on the edge of one of the world’s largest lagoons and is listed for world heritage consideration. It’s fringing reefs, steep drop-offs and lagoonal coral bommies are all teeming with colourful tropical fish and invertebrate life. Rated by Dive Fish Snow Travel as one of best dive resorts in the Pacific.

$1850pp 7nights lodge room. Incl. Meals domestic airfare 10 dives. Transfers

UEPI ISLAND

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Hideaway Island Resort

The Ulimate Dive Holiday Every year we offer 5-6 special charter trips to some of the World’s premier dive locations: Galapagos Is, Cocos Is, Kwajalein, Phonpei, Truk Lagoon, Maldives, PNG and Solomon Is, to name but a few. These trips are renowned for both world class diving and the camaraderie between divers. They fill quickly and early, often without being advertised. So if you’re looking for the ultimate dive holiday contact us now. As of May 2005, our 2005 trips are already sold out, 2006 charters are filling fast and we are working on 2007.

Single Divers: Join a Group You can save 50% on accommodation costs and join in the camaraderie of other divers. Join one of our many group departures from May to Oct with a tour leader and lots of free extras.

Hot Deals be First to Know Keep up to date by joining our confidential database and we will email you a link to our newsletter that is informative and has special offers and deals. “Dive Times”, is published 5 times a year. Details on our website.

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